Computer system and method for storing TV signals therein

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a computer comprising a central processing unit (CPU) driving an operating system (OS). The computer further comprises a television (TV) receiver part receiving external television signals; a storage unit storing the television signals therein; a reserve-recording set-up part setting up reserve-recording conditions for the television signals; a record-controlling part storing the television signals in the storage unit according to the set-up reserve-recording conditions; and a power control part controlling power supply to allow a normal mode and a power saving mode to be switched therebetween, and switching the power saving mode to the normal mode according to the set-up reserve-recording conditions when a time set-up for reserve-recording approaches, wherein the computer system supplies a power to the central processing unit under the normal mode whereas it does not supply the power to the central processing unit under the power saving mode. The computer is automatically supplied a power to initiate the reserve-recording of a television program where the computer is in the power saving mode of the central processing unit, thereby minimizing a power consumption due to the reserve-recording.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application makes reference to, incorporates the sameherein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from myapplication COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING TV SIGNALS THEREINfiled with the Korean Industrial Property Office on Oct. 19, 2000 andthere duly assigned Ser. No. 61708/2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a computer system and a methodfor storing television (TV) signals therein.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] As computer relevant technologies have rapidly been progressed, avariety of applications thereof have been developed accordingly.Especially, one of the technical fields showing the rapid progress is amultimedia field, employing Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)standards for compression techniques of moving pictures. As such amultimedia technology has been developed, the computer has been able toserve for the appreciation of digital music and reception of television(TV) broadcasting based on public networks. In case of the reception oftelevision signals via a computer, it is advantageous that clear imagescan be provided because scanning lines of a monitor of the computer aremuch more than those of the television screen.

[0006] I have found that there is a need to receive and recordtelevision signals with a computer in conjunction with power savingfeatures, efficiency, and convenience. Efforts have been made in thearea of television signals and video signals.

[0007] Exemplars of recent efforts in the art include Korean PatentFirst Publication No. 003127/1993 to Sung-Won Cho, entitled METHOD OFCONTROLLING A VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER BY USING A COMPUTER CONNECTED TOTHE VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER, published on Feb. 24, 1993, Korean PatentFirst Publication No. 008138/1997 to Bong-Chul OH, entitled METHOD OFPROGRAMMING FOR RECORDING A TV BROADCASTING CHANNEL BY USING A COMPUTERCONNECTED TO THE TV, published on Feb. 24, 1997, Korean Patent FirstPublication No. 016781/1998 to Yoon-Soo Shin, entitled METHOD OFPROGRAMMING FOR RECORDING IN A VCR BY USING A COMPUTER CONNECTED TO THEVCR, published on Jun. 5, 1998, Korean Patent First Publication No.017887/1998 to Ki-Bok Moon, entitled METHOD OF PROGRAMMING FOR RECORDINGINA PC-VCR, published on Jun. 5, 1998, Korean Patent First PublicationNo. 041359/1999 to Kyu-Nam Kim, entitled METHOD OF STORING INFORMATIONABOUT INTERNET SITES, published on Jun. 15, 1999, Korean Patent FirstPublication No. 004315/2000 to Sham Lee, entitled METHOD OF CONTROLLINGA POWER OF A DIGITAL TELEVISION HAVING A PERSONAL COMPUTER FUNCTION ANDA TELEVISION FUNCTION, published on Jan. 25, 2000, Japanese Patent FirstPublication No. 9-128090 to Sato, entitled VTR-INCORPORATED PERSONALCOMPUTER, published on May 16, 1997, Japanese Patent First PublicationNo. 10-177777 to Nakajima, entitled PROGRAM RESERVATION SYSTEM ANDRECORDING MEDIUM, published on Jun. 30, 1998, and Japanese Patent FirstPublication No. 11-110089 to Kashimoto et al., entitled COMPUTER SYSTEMAND NETWORK CONTROLLER USED BY SAME COMPUTER SYSTEM, published on Apr.23, 1999.

[0008] While these recent efforts provide advantages, I note that theyfail to adequately provide a system and method for receiving andrecording television signals with a computer, in conjunction with powersaving features, efficiency, and convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of theabove shortcomings, and it is an object of the present invention toprovide a computer system which is automatically turned on when atelevision program reserve-recording starts and is automatically turnedoff when the recording is finished, thereby saving the power consumptiondue to the reserve-recording, and a method for storing televisionsignals therein.

[0010] This and other objects of the present invention may be achievedby a provision of a computer comprising a central processing unit (CPU)driving an operating system (OS), further comprising a televisionreceiver part receiving external television signals; a storage unitstoring the television signals therein; a reserve-recording set-up partsetting up reserve-recording conditions for the television signals; arecord-controlling part storing the television signals in the storageunit according to the set-up reserve-recording conditions; and a powercontrol part controlling power supply to allow a normal mode and a powersaving mode to be switched therebetween, and switching the power savingmode to the normal mode according to the set-up reserve-recordingconditions when time for reserve-recording approaches, wherein a poweris supplied to the central processing unit under the normal mode whereasthe power is not supplied to the central processing unit under the powersaving mode.

[0011] Preferably, the reserve-recording set-up part comprises apassword skipping part skipping a password when the power saving mode ischanged to the normal mode where the password is given to the computersystem.

[0012] It is also effective that the power control part changes thepower mode of the central processing unit from the normal mode to thepower saving mode after reserve-recording conditions are set up throughthe reserve-recording set-up part, the reserve-recording set-up partfurther comprises a mode selection window display for selecting thepower mode of the central processing unit after the reserve-recordingconditions are set up, and the power control part switches the powermode of the central processing unit according to selection of the powermode through the mode selection window display.

[0013] Preferably, the power control part switches the power mode of thecentral processing unit from the normal mode to the power saving modeafter the reserve-recording of the television signals is finished, andthe record-controlling part further comprises a mode selection windowdisplay for selecting the power mode of the central processing unitafter the reserve-recording conditions are set up.

[0014] Effectively, the power control part switches the power mode ofthe central processing unit from the power saving mode to the normalmode when the power is supplied to the computer system by a user wherethe computer system is in the power saving mode, and thereserve-recording part comprises an identification window display foridentifying the reserve-recording conditions when the power saving modeof the central processing unit is changed to the normal mode, whereinthe identification window display enables withdrawal, change andapproval of the set-up reserve-recording conditions therethrough.

[0015] It is preferable that the storage unit is comprised of any one ofa hard disk drive, a recordable compact disk drive, and a recordabledigital versatile disk (DVD) drive.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, this andother objects may also be achieved by a provision of a method forstoring television signals in a computer comprising a central processingunit, an input unit, a monitor, a readable and writable storage unit anda television receiver part receiving the television signals andoutputting the television signals to the monitor, comprising the stepsof setting up reserve-recording conditions to record the televisionsignals received through the receiver part in the storage unit;switching a power mode of the central processing unit from a powersaving mode to a normal mode when reserve-recording is initiatedaccording to the set-up reserve-recording conditions wherein a power issupplied to the central processing unit under the normal mode whereasthe power is not supplied to the central processing unit under the powersaving mode; and storing the television signals in the storage unitaccording to the reserve-recording conditions.

[0017] Preferably, the switching step comprises the step of determiningwhether a password is given to the computer system; and the step ofskipping the password where it is determined that the password is givento the computer system.

[0018] The method according to the present invention further comprisesthe step of switching the power mode of the central processing unit fromthe normal mode to the power saving mode after setting up of thereserve-recording conditions is finished, and also the step ofdisplaying a mode selection window display allowing a user to select apower mode of the central processing unit after setting up of thereserve-recording conditions is finished.

[0019] Desirably, the method further comprises the step of switching thepower mode of the central processing unit from the normal mode to thepower saving mode after reserve-recording of the television signals isfinished, and also the step of displaying a mode selection windowdisplay allowing a user to select the power mode of the centralprocessing unit after reserve-recording of the television signals isfinished.

[0020] The method further comprises the step of switching the power modeof the central processing unit from the power saving mode to the normalmode when the power is supplied to the computer system by a user wherethe computer system is in the power saving mode, and the step ofdisplaying an identification window display for identifying thereserve-recording conditions where the power mode of the centralprocessing unit is switched from the power mode to the normal mode.

[0021] According to still another aspect of the present invention, thisand other objects may also be achieved by a provision of a method forstoring television signals in the computer system, allowing a normalmode and a power saving mode to be switched therebetween wherein a poweris supplied to the central processing unit under the normal mode whereasthe power is not supplied to the central processing unit under the powersaving mode, comprising the steps of setting up reserve-recordingconditions such as start time of the reserve-recording of the televisionsignals; identifying whether the power mode of the central processingunit is the power saving mode when a start time of the reserve-recordingapproaches; and storing the television signals received from the outsideby converting the power saving mode to the normal mode thereof, if thepower mode of the central processing unit is the power saving mode.

[0022] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of switchingthe power mode of the central processing unit from the normal mode tothe power saving mode after setting up of the reserve-recordingconditions is finished, the step of switching the power mode of thecentral processing unit from the normal mode to the power saving modeafter reserve-recording of the television signals is finished, and thestep of switching the power mode of the central processing unit from thepower saving mode to the normal mode when the power is supplied to thecomputer system by a user where the computer system is in the powersaving mode.

[0023] To achieve these and other objects in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described,the present invention provides a computer apparatus, comprising: acentral processing unit driving an operating system; a recording set-upunit setting recording conditions for recording television signals; acontrol unit controlling the recording of the television signals independence upon the recording conditions; a storage unit storing thetelevision signals; a power control unit controlling power supplied in anormal mode and in a power saving mode, automatically switching thepower saving mode to the normal mode in dependence upon the recordingconditions, a power being supplied to said central processing unit inthe normal mode, the power not being supplied to said central processingunit in the power saving mode.

[0024] The present invention is more specifically described in thefollowing paragraphs by reference to the drawings attached only by wayof example. Other advantages and features will become apparent from thefollowing description and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the inventionare illustrated, which, together with a general description of theinvention given above, and the detailed description given below, serveto exemplify the principles of this invention.

[0026]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system, in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of reserve-recording atelevision program on the computer system, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a view showing a window display for setting up areserve-recordation of the television program, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a view showing an identification window display foridentifying the reserve-recording conditions in the computer system, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention; and

[0030]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of recording a televisionprogram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] While the present invention will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which apreferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, it is to beunderstood at the outset of the description which follows that personsof skill in the appropriate arts may modify the invention here describedwhile still achieving the favorable results of this invention.Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as beinga broad, teaching disclosure directed to persons of skill in theappropriate arts, and not as limiting upon the present invention.

[0032] A method of recording a television program on a computer systemwill be described with respect to FIG. 5. The recording shown in FIG. 5corresponds to a “reserve-recording”. The phrase “reserve-recording” canrefer to a recording of a signal which is set to be performedautomatically at a predetermined time. For example, on Feb. 25, 2001 aperson can program a video cassette recorder (VCR) to record atelevision show which is scheduled to be broadcast on television on 27February 2001. Thus, the phrase “reserve-recording” can correspond to arecording operation which is performed automatically, without userintervention, at a predetermined reserved time.

[0033] In FIG. 5, at step S510, power is supplied to a computer system.At step S520, a reserve-recording set-up program installed in thecomputer system is executed to allow a user to set up a broadcastingchannel to be recorded and a broadcast time thereof. At step S530, wherethe computer system is on at the time of initiating thereserve-recording, the reserve-recording set-up program is automaticallyactivated. At step S540, received television signals are converted in atelevision receiver part into digital files. These digital files cancorrespond to video files such as Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)files, audio visual interleaved (AVI) files, RealPlayer media (RM)files, or Windows Media Player media (WMV) files, for example. At stepS550, the digital files are stored in a hard disk drive which is astorage unit in the computer system. At step S560, after the recordingis finished, the execution of the recording program automaticallyterminates.

[0034] However, in the television program reserve-recording method ofFIG. 5, this method requires that the computer system be powered onprior to the reserve-recording, even while the user is not using thecomputer system. Also, in the method of FIG. 5, the computer system doesnot turn off after the recording is finished, thereby causing anunnecessary consumption of power.

[0035] Referring, to FIG. 1, a computer system of the present inventionis comprised of a central processing unit (CPU) 10 driving an operatingsystem (OS) of the computer system, an input unit 20 inputting externalcommands into the CPU 10, a television receiver part 30 receivingexternal television signals therein, a monitor 40 outputting thetelevision signals received in the television receiver part 30, and ahard disk drive 50 as a storage unit.

[0036] The CPU 10 is supplied with a power to drive the operating systemof the computer system. The CPU 10 outputs the television signals to themonitor 40 in cooperation with the television receiver part 30 and arecording part 53 to be described later, and stores them in the harddisk drive 50 substantially at the same time.

[0037] The hard disk drive 50 is comprised of a recording part 53 whichis a software to receive the television signals, convert the receivedtelevision signals into digital files such as MPEG files or AVI files,for example, and output and record the converted digital files, and apower control part 55 controlling a power supply to the CPU 10 accordingto reserve-recording conditions of the recording part 53 to turn thecomputer system on or off. The television signals converted into thedigital files through the recording part 53 are stored in the hard diskdrive 50.

[0038] The recording part 53 is comprised of a reserve-recording set-uppart 60 which is a software to receive the television signals and set upthe reserve-recording conditions, and a record-controlling part 70outputting and recording the received television signals. Thereserve-recording set-up part 60 includes a password skipping part 72.

[0039] The reserve-recording set-up part 60 is comprised of areserve-recording set-up window display 61 for setting up thereserve-recording conditions, a mode selection window display 80 forselecting a power mode (that is, a power saving mode or a normal mode)of the central processing unit after setting up the recordingconditions, and an identification window display 63 for identifying theset-up reserve-recording conditions. Where the computer system needs tohave a password to operate it, the password skipping part 72 in thereserve-recording set-up part 60 installs a password skip flag at apassword designating point of a system basic input output system (BIOS).Accordingly, when the power mode is switched from the power saving modeto the normal mode, the password can be automatically skipped althoughit is established in the system.

[0040] Thus, if a password is required when the computer system goesfrom power saving mode to normal mode, the password skipping part 72 canenable the present invention to work properly without user intervention,because the password requirement will not impede the process of thepresent invention. The password skipping part 72 can be set to cause thecomputer system to go from power saving mode to normal mode withoutrequiring a user to manually enter a password at the moment that thecomputer system goes from power saving mode to normal mode for therecording of television signals in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention. Also, the password skipping part 72 can be not set,thus causing the computer system to require that a user manually enter apassword at the moment that the computer system goes from power savingmode to normal mode for the recording of television signals. The presentinvention can also work without the password skipping part 72, becausesome computer systems are configured to not require a password whenchanging from a power save mode to a normal mode. The password skippingpart 72 is a desirable enhancement which adds convenience.

[0041] The password skipping part 72 can be configured to eliminate theneed for a password to be entered only at times when a television signalwill be recorded. Thus, if the mouse of the computer system is moved andthe computer system is starting to change from the power save mode to anormal mode, then the password would be required to be entered by theuser, since television signals are not about to be recorded.

[0042] The user can select a desired television broadcasting channel andits broadcast time as the reserve-recording conditions through thereserve-recording set-up window display 61. The mode selection windowdisplay 80 shown up along with the reserve-recording set-up windowdisplay 61 is used in selecting the power mode of the CPU 10 after theuser sets up the reserve-recording conditions. The user can select thepower saving mode while he or she is not using the computer aftersetting up the reserve-recording conditions, and he or she can selectthe normal mode while he or she continues to use the computer.

[0043] The identification window display 63 for identifying thereserve-recording conditions is used in changing, withdrawing orapproving the set-up reserve-recording conditions displayed in themonitor 40 when the power mode of the system is changed from the powersaving mode to the normal mode by the user after setting up thereserve-recording conditions.

[0044] The record-controlling part 70 receives the television signalsthrough the television receiver part 30, converts them into digitalfiles such as MPEG files or AVI files, for example, which can be used inthe computer system and outputs them to the monitor 40, and at the sametime stores them in the hard disk drive 50. The record-controlling part70 allows the user to determine whether to continue to use the computersystem or whether to stop to operate it, through the mode selectionwindow display 80, after the recording is finished.

[0045] The power control part 55 is a kind of application program forcontrolling hardware of the computer system. The power control part 55controls the power supply to the CPU 10 according to thereserve-recording conditions so that the power mode is automaticallychanged either to the normal mode under which the power is supplied tothe CPU 10, or to the power saving mode under which the power is notsupplied to the CPU 10.

[0046] Under the normal mode, all the hardware of the computer systemincluding the CPU 10 is operated in a normal manner. For example, theprocess of receiving the television signals in the television receiverpart 30 and storing them in the hard disk drive 50 is performed in thenormal mode. However, if the power mode is converted into the powersaving mode by the power control part 55, all the jobs done up to thattime are saved in the hard disk drive 50, and then the monitor 40, thehard disk drive 50, and the CPU 10 are turned off, and thus the computersystem is finally turned off.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, the process of receiving the televisionsignals and storing them in the hard disk drive 50 according to thereserve-recording conditions will be described. A user connects a powerto the computer system to activate the reserve-recording set-up part 60,for receiving television signals and storing them in the hard disk drive50 in the form of digital file (S10). Subsequently, thereserve-recording set-up window display 61 is shown up as seen in FIG.3, allowing the user to set up the reserve-recording conditions, andaccordingly, the user sets up a television broadcasting program desiredfor reserve-recording and a broadcast time (S20).

[0048] Once the reserve-recording conditions are set up, the windowdisplay shows up the mode selection window display 80 through which theuser is allowed to determine whether to stop using the computer systemafter setting up the reserve-recording conditions or whether to continueusing the computer system (S30). It is determined whether the powersaving mode is selected (S40). If the normal mode is selected, thecomputer system continues to be operated (S90), and then the powercontrol part 55 supplies the power to the CPU 10 so as to allow the userto use the computer system.

[0049] If the power saving mode is selected, the process of terminatingthe computer system is conducted (S50). The power control part 55 storesall the jobs within a memory of the computer system, in the hard diskdrive 50, and then turns the hard disk drive 50 and the CPU 10 off.

[0050] Under the off state of the computer system, if the user connectsthe power to resume use of the computer system (S60) or if the reservedbroadcast time approaches (S70), the computer system is automaticallyturned on (S80).

[0051] In the step S70, the power control part 55 checks the reservetime using a timer (not shown) installed in the computer system, andsupplies the power to the CPU 10 a few minutes before thereserve-recording time starts, to allow the computer system to be turnedon for the reserve-recording. The power control part 55 determineswhether the computer system is turned on by the user at the same time asthe system is turned on (S100).

[0052] Where the computer system is not turned on by the user, adetermination is made as to whether a password is required (S110). If nopassword was required, step S180 is performed after step S110. If apassword is required, then step S130 is performed after step S110. If apassword is required and was previously given to the system, thereserve-recording set-up part 60 gives a password skip flag to thesystem basic input output system (BIOS) to skip the password (S130).

[0053] After the record-controlling part 70 in the recorder part 53 isactivated depending upon the reserve-recording conditions set up throughthe reserve-recording set-up part 60 (S180), it receives the televisionsignals through the television recorder part 30, converts them intodigital files employable in the computer system and outputs them to themonitor 40, and at the same time stores them in the hard disk drive 50(S190).

[0054] The recording is finished by the record-controlling part 70according to the reserve-recording conditions set up through thereserve-recording set-up part 60, and the mode selection window display80 is shown up in the monitor 40, allowing the user to determine whetherto continuously use the computer or to maintain the computer insuspension (S200). Step S210 is performed after step S200, in rder todetermine whether the mode is the power saving mode. Where the modeselection window display 80 is not used because of the user's sleep orrest, etc., the power saving mode is automatically selected and the stepS50 is accordingly conducted. Conversely, where the power mode can beselected through the mode selection window display 80, it is determinedwhether the power saving mode is selected or not, and the step S90 orS50 is conducted depending upon the determination (S210).

[0055] Where it is determined through the step S100 that the system isturned on by the user, the step S150 is then conducted. In the stepS150, the identification window display 63 for identifying thereserve-recording conditions within the reserve-recording set-up part 60is displayed as in FIG. 4, allowing the user to change, withdraw orapprove the reserve-recording conditions. Where the reserve-recordingconditions are approved in the step S160 or they are changed in the stepS170, the step S180 is then conducted. Where the reserve-recordingconditions are withdrawn, the step S90 is conducted. Where thereserve-recording conditions are not identified for a predeterminedperiod of time after the identification window display 63 is shown up,although this situation is not shown in the figures, thereserve-recording conditions are automatically approved and subsequentlythe step S180 is conducted, to activate the record-controlling part 50.

[0056] In the preferred embodiments described above, the televisionsignals received through the television receiver part 30 are convertedinto digital files such as MPEG files or AVI files, for example, andthey are saved in the hard disk drive 50. However, the objects of thepresent invention may be achieved even if they are saved in a compactdisk drive (not shown), or a recordable digital versatile disk (DVD)drive (not shown), or other form of storage.

[0057] As described above, the computer system and the method forstoring television signals therein, according to the present invention,allows the computer system to be automatically turned on forreserve-recording a television program and to be automatically turnedoff after the reserve-recording is finished, thereby minimizing a powerconsumption due to the reserve-recording.

[0058] While the present invention has been illustrated by thedescription of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have beendescribed in considerable detail, it is not the intention of theapplicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appendedclaims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications willreadily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention inits broader aspects is not limited to the specific details,representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown anddescribed. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventiveconcept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer system apparatus, comprising: acentral processing unit driving an operating system; a televisionreceiver part receiving external television signals; a storage unitstoring the television signals; a reserve-recording set-up part settingup reserve-recording conditions for the television signals, thereserve-recording conditions including a time to start recording; arecord-controlling part storing the television signals in said storageunit according to the set-up reserve-recording conditions; and a powercontrol part controlling power supplied in a normal mode and in a powersaving mode, and switching the power saving mode to the normal modeaccording to the set-up reserve-recording conditions when the time forreserve-recording approaches, a power being supplied to said centralprocessing unit in the normal mode, the power not being supplied to saidcentral processing unit in the power saving mode.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, said reserve-recording set-up part comprising a passwordskipping unit not requiring a user to enter a password when the powersaving mode is changed to the normal mode, when the password waspreviously supplied to the computer system.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,said power control part changing the power mode of said centralprocessing unit from the normal mode to the power saving mode after thereserve-recording conditions are set up through said reserve-recordingset-up part.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, said reserve-recording set-uppart comprising a mode selection window display for selecting the powermode of said central processing unit after the reserve-recordingconditions are set up, said power control part switching the power modeof said central processing unit according to selection of the power modewith said mode selection window display.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,said power control part switching the power mode of said centralprocessing unit from the normal mode to the power saving mode after thetelevision signals are stored in said storage unit.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, said record-controlling part comprising a mode selection windowdisplay for selecting the power mode of said central processing unitafter the setting up of the reserve-recording conditions is performed.7. The apparatus of claim 1, said power control part switching the powermode of said central processing unit from the power saving mode to thenormal mode, when the power is supplied to the computer system by a userwhen the computer system is in the power saving mode.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, said reserve-recording part comprising an identificationwindow display for identifying the reserve-recording conditions when thepower saving mode of said central processing unit is changed to thenormal mode.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, said identification windowdisplay performing at least one action selected from among acancellation, modification, and approval of the set-up reserve-recordingconditions.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, said storage unit comprisingone selected from among a hard disk drive, a recordable compact diskdrive, and a recordable digital versatile disk drive.
 11. A method forstoring television signals in a computer, said method comprising:setting up recording conditions to record television signals in astorage unit of a computer system having a central processing unit;switching a power mode of the central processing unit from a powersaving mode to a normal mode in dependence upon the recordingconditions, a power being supplied to the central processing unit in thenormal mode, the power not being supplied to the central processing unitin the power saving mode; and storing the television signals in thestorage unit according to the recording conditions.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, said switching further comprising: detecting when a passwordhas been previously provided to the computer system; and when thepassword has been previously provided to the computer system, notrequiring the password to be entered.
 13. The method of claim 11, saidsetting up further comprising switching the power mode of the centralprocessing unit from the normal mode to the power saving mode after saidsetting up of the recording conditions.
 14. The method of claim 11,further comprising displaying a mode selection window display forselecting the power mode of the central processing unit, after saidsetting up of the recording conditions.
 15. The method of claim 11,further comprising switching the power mode of the central processingunit from the normal mode to the power saving mode after said storing ofthe television signals.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprisingdisplaying a mode selection window display for selecting the power modeof the central processing unit, after said storing of the televisionsignals is performed.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprisingswitching the power mode of the central processing unit from the powersaving mode to the normal mode, when the power is supplied to thecomputer system by a user when the computer system is in the powersaving mode.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising displayingan identification window display for identifying the recordingconditions, when said switching from the power saving mode to the normalmode is performed.
 19. A method for storing television signals in acomputer system, said method comprising the steps of: setting uprecording conditions to record television signals in a computer systemhaving a central processing unit, the recording conditions including atime to start recording, a power being supplied to the centralprocessing unit in a normal mode, the power not being supplied to thecentral processing unit in a power save mode; identifying when a powermode of the central processing unit corresponds to the power savingmode, when the time to start recording approaches; converting the powersaving mode to the normal mode when the power mode of the centralprocessing unit is the power saving mode; and recording the televisionsignals in a storage unit of the computer system.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising switching the power mode of the centralprocessing unit from the normal mode to the power saving mode after saidsetting up of the recording conditions.
 21. The method of claim 19,further comprising switching the power mode of the central processingunit from the normal mode to the power saving mode after said recordingof the television signals.
 22. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising switching the power mode of the central processing unit fromthe power saving mode to the normal mode when the power is supplied tothe computer system by a user when the computer system is in the powersaving mode.